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Classroom Success Starts Here: the Art of Preparation for Unbeatable Academic Performance

As a student, success in your educational journey largely depends on your ability to adequately prepare for your classes. Preparation involves more than just showing up to class, taking notes, and submitting assignments. It requires a proactive approach that allows you to fully engage with the course material and actively participate in class discussions. Whether you're a new student or a seasoned one, prioritizing preparation can greatly enhance your academic performance. In this section, we'll explore the most effective strategies for preparing for classes and ensuring that you're getting the most out of your educational experience.

Preparation:  Set the StageStudents wearing VR goggles

Video IconBrain Hack:  6 Secrets to learning Faster, Backed by Neuroscience
Sharing the secrets to productive learning, backed by neuroscience. Dr Lila Landowski explains the methods which can be used to allow us to learn faster. Dr Lila Landowski is a multi-award winning neuroscientist and lecturer that expertly arms people with...


10 Essential Study Skills Every Student Needs - Oxford Learning                           Article Icon
Every student needs study tips for better studying. Study skills are the techniques that every student relies on when studying for a test. But not every student knows how to make the most of their study time.


Article Icon11 Good Study Habits to Develop
Good study habits include finding a quiet location to study, taking breaks, settings goals, and taking practice tests. Here's the full list, and the psychological reasons why they work.


Video IconMemory:  Crash Course Study Skills #3
An essential part of learning and studying is remembering things, so this week Thomas explains some of how your memory works so that you can spend less time working against your memory’s limitations and more time playing to its real strengths.


Video IconPlanning & Organization:  Crash Course Study Skills #4
The best way to make sure you’re making the most of the time you have is to start off well organized. This week we’re talking about planning and organizational systems and how to set yourself up for success.



Video IconFocus & Concentration:  Crash Course Study Skills #5
Have you ever noticed how easy it is to get distracted while studying – even when you know you really don’t have time for Facebook, Snapchat, Cookie Clicker, or whatever else is calling you? This week we’re going to help you get a better handle on your focus and concentration and how to improve those skills.


Video IconProcrastination:  Crash Course Study Skills #6
You’re on YouTube right now, but you should probably be studying or writing that research paper. But as long as you’re here, we’re going to help you figure out how to get the better of your desire to procrastinate in the future. Just don’t forget about us when you fully master your procrastination, OK?


Video IconStudying for Exams:  Crash Course Study Skills #7
It turns out that saving all of your studying until after midnight on the night before your big exam is not actually a great way to prepare. Today, Thomas explains some test prep strategies that actually work.

Image of aircraft with Goals textPreparation:  Goal Setting

Video IconHow to Set Goals You'll Actually Stick to
How can you set goals you'll actually follow through on over the long-term? Today we'll explore the idea of "intermediate goals", and show how people like Neal Stephenson (author of Snow Crash) and Matt Thorson (developer of Towerfall and Celeste) used them.


Video IconGuide to Setting S.M.A.R.T. Goals for Yourself
Watch the Guide to Setting S.M.A.R.T. Goals for Yourself to learn the five characteristics of the SMART goal framework (S.M.A.R.T.) so that you work smarter (with more significant impact) instead of harder (with little to show for it).


Video Icon15 SMART Goals Examples for Students
As a student, have you ever felt lost and unsure about what you want to achieve at school or even how to do it? Do you ever feel like you're just going through the motions without any real direction? If so, you're not alone. Many students struggle with setting goals and achieving them.

Preparation:  Time ManagementImage of a SNCO touching his head with both hands

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How to Study and Do Homework in a Time Crunch
Today we'll look at a few strategies for staying alert, planning your work out, and tackling it in the best possible way - all should help you study well when time is running short.


Video IconZig Ziglar's Speech Will Leave You Speechless
Zig Ziglar's Life Changing Advice (Must Watch!!) The legendary author, mentor, and motivational speaker shares his greatest advice with you.



Video IconHow to Manage Your Time as a Student
When Ali Abdaal was a student, he tested a load of different time-management techniques and in this video, he'll go through 12 tips which really changed the way he managed his time at school and university.

Preparation:  EnvironmentStudents at the Fire Academy

Video IconHow to Create a Unique Study Environment:  6 Awesome Tips
Are you the type of person who struggles to stay focused when you sit down to work or study? Well, get ready to say goodbye to those struggles because in this video we'll share 6 awesome tips to help you create an ideal study or work setup.


Video IconHow to Create an Organized, Productive Study Space
Where should you study? Your environment can have a huge amount of influence over your ability to focus on what you're studying and whether or not you'll get distracted when Stephen Colbert walks by with his brand-new robotic spider legs.


Video IconHow We Learn As We Age
The science that proves that we are all life long learners. Alan Castel is a Professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of California, Los Angeles. He studies memory and aging and the degree to which people are aware of their memory ability (a form of metamemory).


Video IconAdult Learning Theory  |  Knowles' 6 Assumptions of Adult Learners
This video is an introduction to Malcolm Knowles' 6 Assumptions of Adult Learners. If you are an adult educator or someone with ambitious curiosity, I hope this video finds you well.

Preparation:  Public SpeakingInstructor speaking

Video IconPublic Speaking Anxiety Tips:  6 Mindset Tips  
Here are 6 mindset tips to reduce your Public Speaking Anxiety by 50% (Part 1). When you learn how to handle your fear of public speaking, you will feel more confident in yourself and your message and ultimately be more persuasive.


Video IconHow to Start a Speech
Learn the 5 Best Ways to Start a Speech or Presentation. Crafting a killer opening is a vital public speaking skill and separates beginners from more advanced speakers.


Video IconHow to End a Speech with Impact
Learn how to end a speech with more impact with 2 key steps. The best public speakers use this technique.



Video IconHow to Be More Articulate
Four videos on how to be more articulate with various tips.


Benchmark meter picture

 

Skill Benchmarks

Skill Benchmarks provide you with a means to assess your competence level in a specific skill. When you complete a Skill Benchmark questionnaire, you obtain a proficiency score for the designated skill. Rather than comparing your score to others, it is measured against a predefined set of objectives established by an expert in the field. The outcomes of the benchmark highlight your proficiency in the skill, and based on these results, Percipio promptly presents tailored content suggestions that address the areas you struggled with. These recommendations are conveniently displayed alongside the results, enabling you to concentrate on enhancing your weaknesses and avoiding unnecessary repetition of knowledge you already possess.


Skill Benchmarks that support Preparation:

Time Management & Managing Priorities

Oral Communication

Presentation Skills

Managing Yourself

Word 365 (2021)

Excel 365 (2021)

PowerPoint 365 (2021)

Outlook 365 (2021)

Microsoft Teams 2022


Important instructions:  When accessing the above links from a computer with a Common Access Card, the links will take you to the Percipio DAF e-Learning platform. To access from a mobile device, the Skillsoft Percipio app is required. The app can be installed by scanning the QR code and following the instructions below.

Percipio mobile app QR code

To access DAFeL on the Percipio Mobile App on iOS or Android devices, you must first add a password to your Percipio account on your workstation:
 
  1. If you haven’t self-registered, visit https://usaf.percipio.com and login with your CAC using “corporate credentials” and then log out. 
  2. On the DAFeL login page, select “Alternatively, login with your Percipio credentials”.
  3. Enter your official email address or DoDID number and press “Next”.
  4. Under the password field, select “Get password help”. 
  5. Enter your official email address and press “Send”. 
  6. Follow the instructions on the email to setup your password.
  7. Launch the app and enter “usaf” in the site name field.
  8. Login with your DoDID or official email address and Password.
  9. Start building new skills on your terms.


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